Department of Technology at Illinois State University
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Mission

To prepare technically-oriented managerial professionals and leaders for business, industry, government, and education by articulating and integrating student experiences and core competencies in manufacturing.

Undergraduate Advisement

Cathy McKay

Phone: (309) 438-2665

Location: Turner Hall 210

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llinois State University's IMS curriculum prepares students for the challenges they may face as they enter a career in the manufacturing industry, and has been successful over the years in accomplishing its mission.

IMS Photo 5The IMS program could be considered a hybrid of Industrial Technology and Engineering Technology. Industrial Technology is primarily involved with management, operations, and maintenance of complex technical systems. Engineering Technology is involved with design and installation of these systems.

One of the goals of the IMS sequence is to prepare professionals capable of managing projects and processes in industrial settings. The integration of the IMS curriculum emphasizes the importance of understanding products, materials, processes, part design, tool design, process control, and quality that are some of the key components of project management. The courses in the IMS sequence focus on the management of people, processes, and materials through application-oriented activities. As a result, our students are well equipped to become project managers.

Our students learn in three integrated ways:

  • theory; internalizing ideas necessary to succeed in the field.
  • practice, familiarizing themselves with the processes needed to complete tasks.
  • experience, using our modern facilities to gain experience with the equipment and processes they will be dealing with in their careers.

IMS photo 3Students' learning is supported by the dedicated IMS faculty and by using smart classrooms and laboratories with some of the most recent instructional technology. The manufacturing industry provides support to the IMS program through contributions, scholarships, and professional activities.

Students also have the opportunity to participate in the professional activities of two student organizations, The Society of Manufacturing Engineers and The Society of Plastics Engineers. Through these organizations, students can network with professionals, attend tours, listen to presentations by guest speakers, attend conferences, and participate in leadership activities. Students graduating from the IMS Sequence are highly sought after for careers in regional and national manufacturing companies.